The first thing that came to my mind when they told me we were having some drinks in a cave bar in Menorca was: “I’d better dress warm, that sounds cold”.
No, clearly I didn’t have a clue what to expect. Let me show you what Cova d’en Xoroi really is like, and I’m sure that after seeing the photos you want to add this visit to your bucket list!
COVA DÉN XOROI – MENORCA, SPAIN
The Cova D’En Xoroi Story
From their website:
These rocks, scented by the sea air, guard with their imposing beauty the legend of a love story.
Xoroi, a man from an unknown past, came from the sea, nobody knows how, perhaps the sole survivor from some shipwreck, and found refuge in the cave.
Then, the surrounding houses in the countryside were often robbed. From one of these houses, a young woman about to be married disappeared. The months and the years went by… Nothing more was known of the missing girl.
One day in the winter, the island was blanketed by unexpected snow. In the snow tell tale footprints appeared. Armed men following the imprints went down into the Cave. There, in the cavern, they found a man, a woman and three sons, the fruit of their love.
Xoroi, on seeing himself surrounded and powerless, threw himself into the sea followed by his eldest son.The sea that had brought him, closed over them both, guarding the mystery of his life.
Inconsolable, the woman and her two sons were taken to Alaior where they carried on with the rest of their lives, they and their descendants after them.
THE TRAVEL TESTER IN ACTION
1. What does it SOUND like?
Yeah, so where I though we would just be sitting inside a chilly cave -looking at the rocky ceiling and each other, as that what the description of this restaurant sounded like, the view I got right after the entrance was a different one all together.
Instead of inside (where some of the bars are and you can also sit), most of this bar is actually on the outside of the cave, build on wooden scaffolding right on the edge with the ocean. Sounds scary, but turned out to be amazing!
2. What does it LOOK like?
When we drove upto the front door of the cave bar in Menorca, I already realized that my low expectation was going to be blown to pieces and that in fact, this place was cool, not cold at all.
In fact, it was so sunny, that I quickly borrowed someone’s sunglasses to be able to take in all the beauty that would be waiting for me right after going through the entrance…
3. What does it TASTE like?
We got a couple of drink vouchers and a platter of snacks and biscuits and we only stayed in the bar for a little bit, so I can’t really do a review on the price and quality of most of the drinks and food here, but I must say that I LOVED the local drink “Pomada” that they served. It’s gin with lemon juice and it would be my favourite drink for the rest of the trip :)
4. What does it FEEL like?
This place really makes you feel like you’re on another planet!
5. What does it SMELL like?
Watching the sunset, having a drink…. this place smelled like more! Too bad we didn’t stay very long and enjoy a bit more of this magical surrounding.
After our 5-senses test, we’re ready to answer our final (and perhaps most important) question in our Cova d’en Xoroi Restaurant Review:
6. Does this restaurant make us happy?
I love it when you arrive somewhere without any expectation and completely get blown away by a place. This cave bar on Menorca is an incredible place to visit, so when you get to the island, don’t miss it! I can imagine on some nights it to be really busy, so perhaps arrive as early as possible if you want a seat on the wooden decks or on the outside-parts of the inner-bars. Other than that, cheers, have a great time and enjoy the sunset!
VISIT COVA DEN XOROI
The Restaurant
Cova d’en Xoroi
The Address
Urbanización Cala en Porter, Carrer de sa Cova, 2, 07730 Alaior, Islas Baleares, Spain
Opening Hours
Mon-Sun 3–9pm
Website?
Get Social!
You can find Cova d’en Xoroi on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Disclaimer: We visited this restaurant as part of the #MustSeeMenorca blogger campaign. All opinions and photos are, as always 100% our own.
Amazing idea and wonderful place. You have great knowledge about places. Thanks for wonderful information. It’s awesome to spent time over there!
Thanks for sharing Nitin!
Hi Nienke,
Brilliant! Agreed; isn’t it awesome when you show up somewhere, not really knowing what to expect, and the place floors you? This place has it all. Views, fab fare, check marks on all levels. Thanks for sharing :)
Ryan
Totally agree Ryan!
I was there, in this cave summer of 1971high school graduation. Just me and a friend from the US. I still remember having fun there. My friend has passed but I would like to go back to the Island soon. I also remember some French hippies were living in seclusion out on some cove and they carved stairs to the water and were living in caves. They had just had left the area so we did not get to meet them.